12 DPWH officials suspended over P289-M project irregularities in Oriental Mindoro

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended 12 Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials for six months due to alleged irregularities in a P289-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, as part of an ongoing investigation.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano stated that the suspension was issued on October 23 by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla. It applies to DPWH officials in Mimaropa as well as members of the department's Bids and Awards Committee (BAC). "This stemmed from the administrative case that was instituted simultaneously with the criminal charge," Clavano explained in a message to reporters regarding the preventive suspension.

The following individuals have been suspended:

Gerald Pacanan (DPWH Regional Director), Gene Ryan Altea (DPWH Assistant Regional Director), Ruben D.S. Santos (DPWH Assistant Regional Director), Montrexis Tamayo (DPWH OIC-Chief, Planning and Design Division), Dominic Serrano (DPWH Construction Division Chief and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairperson), Dennis Abagon (DPWH OIC-Chief, Quality Assurance and Hydrology Division, BAC Regular Member), Juliet Calvo (DPWH Maintenance Division Chief), Lerma Cayco (DPWH Accountant IV), Felisardo Casuno (DPWH Project Engineer III), Grace Lopez (BAC Member), Frierich Karl Camero (Legal Division Chief), and Timojen Sacar (Materials Engineer).

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano explained that the preventive suspension "arose from the administrative case filed alongside the criminal complaint."

Several of the suspended officials, including Pacanan, Altea, Delos Santos, Serrano, Cayco, Calvo, Casuno, Abagon, and Tamayo, have pleaded not guilty before the Sandiganbayan 6th Division regarding the alleged irregularities in the flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.